Isha Erskine

Mixing and Music Creation

Isha Erskine is a Grammy Winner and Multi-Platinum Music Producer, Engineer, and Composer who has worked with Maroon 5, Ziggy Marley, Black Eyed Peas, Jeff Beck, Wyclef Jean, and many other artists. Usually credited as an Engineer or Producer, he has also been involved with the composition elements on many albums over the past 10 years.

Reviews

Interview with Isha Erskine

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: Ziggy Marley's Fly Rasta, which one a Grammy for Best Reggae Album 2014. I was the tracking engineer, and i also did a ton of production on the album. Including production a big string section at East West Studios.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A few reggae albums, a Dark-Wave Indie Bands EP and music for various TV and Film Publishers

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Analog Gear for tracking live instruments, Neve Preamps, and Classic Analog Compressors are fantastic for recording. For Mixing i choose Digital In the box. The instant recalls was the main reason for the switch, but now the plugins are so good i think the mixes turn out better, and its nice not to have any limitations.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Please make sure you are done with the arranging, and editing before submitting a mix. If you can label the tracks 01 Kicks, 02 Snare so everything comes in order, it saves a lot of time and energy id rather spend mixing.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Bass, Piano, and Midi Keys/Computer setup.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I started recording punk rocks bands in a Garage when i was 14. At 16 i started interning at a recording studio. Then i went to Music School for Composition, and The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences for the Engineering side of things. After that at 20 i moved to Los Angeles and worked my way up from Intern, Runner, Assistant, Engineer and Then Producer at various Recording Studios such as Ocean Way, Paramount, Glenwood, The Village. By 30 i had a Grammy Winning Album and Multiple Platinum records. I now live in Northern California raising a family.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Los Angeles Professional with Northern California prices.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Radiohead because they explore so many interesting sounds that would be fun to be a part of.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Record Pre-Production Demos, listen to the pace of the vocal and tonal character of it. If it drags a little but, try a faster tempo, if the words seem rushed try a slower tempo. If the voice sounds muddy or boring try i higher key, if the voice is strained to hit the high notes, try a lower key.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: I work on different stylers of music everyday. I have worked on almost every style now, and i think that making music sound good is not necessary related a genre. If it had to pin it down i would say "pop" but to me thats just any music that appeals to the masses, regardless of genre.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I would say mixing, i can get mixes dialed in and turned around really fast.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring 15 years of record making experience in various genres to the table. I have the sonic skills from my Engineering time in Los Angeles, combined with my Musical Composition Skills, so i can be involved in all facets of the song from writing, pre-production, recording, and mixing,

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Clients Send Me Files, and I Mix then within a week or so and send them off for revisions. We got back and forth until everyone is happy. For music writing, i usually get a scratch vocal, some chords and a musical reference, and i create a song from scratch to fit the clients needs.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Pro Tools HD Setup with Event Monitors and Tons of Plugins for Mixing and Music Creation.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Radiohead, Thrice, Michael Shipley, Ziggy Marley

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Tracking and Mixing Engineering, Custom Music Composition for TV and FILM